Family members of the eight Chinese workers kidnapped in Iraq last Tuesday expressed their happiness and relief after receiving news of their release late Saturday from television and internet reports.

There was some lingering worry due to the fact that they had not yet been contacted directly by the hostages or the Chinese embassy in Iraq, but a Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed yesterday that the eight had been returned safely to the embassy.

The hostages all come from the island county of Pingtan in east China's Fujian Province.

Wei Shoulong, father of Wei Wu, from Auwang Village, said his family was relieved at the good news. "We hope he can come back soon and our family can enjoy a good Spring Festival."

"My biggest wish now is to hear my son's voice on the phone," Wei added, with both happiness and a little anxiety in his voice.

Wei said he appreciated the efforts that had been made to rescue his son and the other hostages.

Due to the family's lack of wealth, Wei Wu has been a casual laborer since he finished junior middle school, his father said.

The family's other two children are still studying, with Wei Wu's elder brother at university and his younger sister at a technical secondary school. Their parents can only make a monthly income of 600 yuan (US$73).

To support Wei Wu's trip, the family had to borrow from loan sharks. "My son hasn't mailed even a cent back home after he went to Iraq," said Wei.

When talking about future plans for Wei Wu, the father said nothing has been set. "It has been such good luck that my son has been safely released. We haven't considered much yet about his future."

Zhou Sunlin's mother said her family felt very happy as they watched the 5 PM news on Saturday.

"We finally slept better that night," she told reporters yesterday. However, she wants a call from her son to confirm his release.

He last called her from Iraq on January 8 to tell her he would be back home soon. However, the following events transformed the family's joy into fear.

Zhou had told his family that it was hard to find a suitable job in the war-torn nation. Having few skills, he had to take on work as a construction worker there.

Li Guiping, one of the seven hostages held in Iraq for thirty-six hours last April, said that he is also very glad his countrymen are to be freed.

Since returning to Audong Town, also in Pingtan, he has earned a living carrying passengers on his motorbike. He now makes an average of 800 yuan (US$97) a month.

"Pingtan is really small and poor," Li said. "We have to go out and work hard to make our fortune."

(China Daily January 24, 2005)